Prominent Buddhist monk murdered in China

The Tibetan monk who founded the first Buddhist monastery in the UK has been stabbed to death in China.

Akong Rinpoche, 73, set up the popular Kagyu Samye Ling centre at Eskdalemuir in Dumfries and Galloway in 1967.

A statement from his brother, Lama Yeshe Rinpoche, said he was killed along with his nephew and a monk in Chengdu in south-west China.

He added: "Rinpoche’s body has been taken to hospital where a post mortem will be carried out. That is all the news I have so far. If I receive further news I will let you know.

"We will have to do a lot of special prayers and make a lot of appropriate offerings on Rinpoche's behalf and any contributions you wish to make in his name will be much appreciated. I request you all to do whatever prayers you can."

He also said the Dalai Lama had been told of his brother’s death and was offering prayers.

Police in Chengdu said the victims were stabbed to death in a residential area by three men, who were now in custody, in a dispute about money. A spokesman added: "The three suspects have confessed to the crime and the case is still under investigation."

The Scottish retreat on the banks of the River Esk was the first Tibetan Buddhist Centre established in the West and offers a range of meditation classes, courses and retreats to people of all faiths.

Dr Rinpoche attended the 60th anniversary of the signing of the UN Refugee Convention with the Home Secretary Theresa May in London in 2011.

He said he was welcomed by the UK Government and its people when he came to Britain as a refugee in 1963.